Executive Chef Joseph Conrad (formerly of Seattle’s now-defunct Qube and Chicago’s Charlie Trotter’s and also co-founder of Secret Stash Sea Salts)

has introduced a new seasonal New American menu, as well as Market Fresh Dinners each Thursday night and Sunday Chef Dinners. For me, Ventana is all about Armin Moloudzadeh (formerly of Seattle’s Bastille and Black Bottle), General Manager and Bartender; for its his personality (not to mention his creative, quirky concoctions) that truly make the place. Tasting notes follow:

The pom pom ($9): This drink I’ve dubbed the “lava lamp” – Pearl pomegranate vodka, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, prosecco, and pomegranate juice. Fruity ‘n’ floral with a drying quality, you’ll enjoy watching the bubbles in the prosecco push the pomegranate seeds up and down, up and down….

The pecorino & potato gnocchi ($14): With pork trotter (a.k.a pig feet), carmelized turnips, and foie gras brodo (broth), this dish is incredibly rich and savory, yet too starchy for my palate with both the gnocchi and the turnips.

The Australian hiramasa ($15): They hit a homer with this one, dear hedonists – this Yellowtail Kingfish (a.k.a. Gold Striped Amberjack) is served up tasty ‘n’ fresh with kai-lan, hon shimeji mushrooms, and Chinese black bean sauce. A clean, light, and healthy Asian dish that’s heavy on the de-lish.

Oh, and Armin has some new bevies in the works, like a creative clinky he’s dubbing the “After School Special.” With a name like that – plus ingredients such as grape vodka and peanut butter – can you guess what it tastes like?

Just head on over for one of their twice-daily Happy Hours to find out, for this drink is scheduled to be released within the next couple of weeks. (Another hint: you may just want to pedal your bicycle there.)

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

Armin concocting (and re-creating) a childhood memory: the Berry White.

This Tuesday night, be simultaneously naughty & nice.... (Photo provided courtesy of Wilson PR.)

Ventana – in case you didn’t know – is Spanish for “window.” And this chic, triangular space is all about windows, from table tops to the breathtaking view of Puget Sound’s Elliot Bay.  With their soft opening on October 13th, your Hedonista has already checked them out (as a VIP media guest), with very favorable results:

Cocktails ($8-$10): Ventana’s bartender, legend Armin Moloudzadeh (who also develops the cocktail menu for Twist, with whom they not only share a bartender, but also a kitchen), adds a “pop ‘n’ snap” to the liquid menu.  My hands-down fav is the refreshingly fruity Plum Habana (plum vodka, lavender simple syrup, lime, mint and soda), followed by the milky ‘n’ silky Berry White – a beverage inspired by the white chocolate ‘n’ fruit candy bars that Armin’s mother used to give to him when he was a child.  The recipe is directly below:

Ventana: it's ALL about the windows, baby.

A must-try is the very unique Bacon Bloody Mary – think spicy breakfast served up in a tall glass: bacon infused vodka, Armin’s very own bloody mary mix, finished with Secret Stash chorizo Sea Salt on the rim and garnished with a strip of bacon and whatever other savory feast he decides to add to the … er, mix.

Nibblies (<$20) ‘n’ Vino: First of all, props simply must go out to sommelier Kyle Eberle (he ROCKS); request his (very talented) assistance re: wine pairings and you won’t be disappointed.

The highlights: Puget Sound’s Kumamoto oysters with a mignonette made of niciose olive and cucumber vinaigrette and B.C.’s Kusshi oysters with a mignonette made of kumquat vinaigrette with Thai chili (both pair nicely with a sparkling Chandon Classic Brut); roasted beet salad (the cardamom and pistachio notes in the salad are complemented by the apricot and peach tones in the pinot gris from Sokol Blosser, Dundee Hills, OR 2008); the foie gras-meets-chocolate heaven that is their lacquered duck breast (paired perfectly with a rosé from Chaoutier, Belleruche, rosé, Côtes du Rhône, FR 2007); and last, but definitely not least – the pure heaven-on-Earth double date duo of the beef oxtail (paired with the earthy tannins of  a cab sav from 337, Lodi, CA 2007) and the beef tongue raviolo (paired with Las Rocas, Viñas Viejas, Garnacha, Calatayud, SP 2006).

Their orgasmic oysters will help any self-respecting hedonist get that naughty on.

The lowlight:  Bone marrow gratin (the soft bone marrow is somewhat of an acquired texture … plus waaay too heavy on the truffle oil, here – even for your Heodnista, who’s a self-proclaimed truffle oil whore).

But back to their Naughty & Nice party:  they’ll have all food items under $6 – with their amazing oysters only $1 – and $5 featured drinks (select wine, bolero margarita, and dirty Parisian).

So head on out, get your happy hedonism on (soooo naughty) & support Toy for Tots (soooo nice).

(Just make sure to RSVP to tannar@tamarawilson.com to reserve your spot on the guest list.)

And, if this Tuesday doesn’t work, check out their New Year’s Eve fête.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.